Maiya

The Mahiya or Maiya or મહિયા ક્ષત્રિય are a Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are also known as Mahiya Rajput and Maiya Darbar.^[1]

History and origin

The community claim to have been settled along the banks of the Mahi river in Kheda District, so they came to be known as Maiya. They are believed to be descended from the Jadhav Rajputs. The community settled in Gujarat during the rule of Sultan Mahmud Begada, and moved into Saurashtra in the 16th Century. There they established states in Wankaner and the small states of Kuwadva and Than near Rajkot. A section of the some cast Maiya converted to Islam, and are now known as the Miyana. and other rajput cast covert known as MAHIYA now they are staying in junagadh District. They rebelled against the Nawab of Junagadh in 1882, and were suppressed. As a result of the rebellion, they lost much of their land.^[2]

Present circumstances

The community is concentrated in Saurashtra. They are divided into a number of clans known as ataks, the main ones being the Dayatar, Babariya, Makka, Dangar, Paredi, Dhana, Chhelavada, Dabhi . They are located mostly in Shergadh,patrama ,Ajab, Kaneri, Mesavan, Avaniya, Gangecha, Rangpur, Pikhor, Gelana, Kalwani, Tarsinhda, Matarvania, Bhakharvad, Pransali, Ambla, Mithapar, Vada, Sichod, Thaniyana' and other villages in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Many of them have relocated for their job and business in Rajkot, Surat or other urban areas. The community is mainly made up of small and medium sized farmers, and have customs similar other landowning castes such as the Khati and Khant. There claim to be Kshatriyas is generally accepted by other Hindu castes.

Kuldevi for the community as whole is 'Mata Nagbai having location at very beautiful place near Shergadh and Ajab village in Junagadh district of Gujarat. Every caste has their own Kuldevi such as Mata Khodiyar for Babariya, dangar,Mata Momay for Dayatar,Mata Sikotar for Chhelavada etc. in their defined place called Madh. Every year, they are performing Havan at their own Madh.

There is ritual of performing Naivadh (નૈવેધ) after marriage or any other important events.

See also

• Mers
• Kathi
• Manka
• Thakore

References

1. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 812-817
2. People of India Gujarat Volume XXI Part Two edited by R.B Lal, P.B.S.V Padmanabham, G Krishnan & M Azeez Mohideen pages 812-817